Method for infusing calcium phosphate in water, juices and water beverages

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method to solubilize and infuse calcium phosphate directly into water, water beverages and juices at very high concentration from which it is readily available for immediate and complete absorption. A premix of powdered ingredients including ground limestone, amino acetic acid phosphate, amino acetic acid citrate and optionally zinc carbonate, acidulants sweeteners and/or flavors can be mixed with the water, water beverages and juices. The water, water beverages and juices containing infused calcium phosphate do not require further processing and are readily consumable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/476,526, filed Jun. 28, 2006, abandoned, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/425,093,filed Apr. 28, 2003, abandoned, the entireties of which are each herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Calcium is a mineral that is essential for life, yet millions of peopledo not get adequate assimilable calcium on a daily basis. Calcium playsan important role in building stronger, denser bones early in life andkeeping bones strong and healthy later in life. Almost 99 percent of thecalcium in the body is found in bones and teeth as calcium phosphate. Inaddition to building and maintaining strong, healthy bones, calcium iscrucial for blood coagulation, energy production, glandular secretions,beating of the heart, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, maintenanceof the immune system and more.

Each day our bodies lose calcium through skin, nails, hair, sweat, urineand feces. The human body cannot produce calcium on its own and it mustbe supplied through the diet and/or supplements. When the diet andsupplements do not provide enough calcium for the body's needs, it iswithdrawn from the bones. Bone is a living, growing tissue made ofcollagen and polysaccharides that form a soft and flexible framework.Embedded in this framework is a mineral called calcium phosphate (“thebone mineral”) that imparts to the bone its structural strength. Overthe long term, continual insufficient calcium intake and withdrawal fromthe bones causes the bones to weaken and prone to fractures, a conditioncalled osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is defined as weakening of the bonesleading to fractures. Since 99 percent of the body's calcium is found inbones and teeth, depletion of calcium phosphate from bones leads toosteoporosis.

Research has shown that both calcium and phosphorus are essential tosupport bone health, growth and development, Bone 32 (2003), 532-540.Calcium phosphate provides the calcium and phosphorus. Numerous calciumproducts are available as nutritional supplements. Almost all of thesesupplements contain calcium carbonate and a few are made with calciumcitrate. Neither of these minerals is soluble and therefore lacksadequate bioavailability. None of the supplements of which applicant isaware provides calcium phosphate, which is also completely insoluble.The availability and absorption of calcium from these supplements isless than 30 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), Nutrition inClinical Practice, 22:286-296, June 2007. This lack of absorption ismainly due to the lack of adequate solubility of these supplements inthe stomach.

Attempts have been made to increase the solubility of calcium in vitro.These attempts have resulted in powdered forms of multi mineralcompositions containing very small amounts of calcium. Additionally,these compositions are only sparingly soluble in water. No prior art ofwhich applicant is aware teaches of solubilizing and infusing the bonemineral calcium phosphate directly into water or water beverages.

Calcium assimilation by the body has been and continues to be a majorissue in its efficacy, especially knowing that the body cannot absorbcalcium unless it is in solution, European Journal of ClinicalNutrition, 51:13-16, 1997.

As stated above, the absorption of calcium from currently availablesupplements is less than 30 percent under ideal stomach conditions.Reducing this less-than-optimal absorption even further are powerfulantacid drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter medications,Digestive Disease Week Meeting, Chicago, Jun. 1, 2009. These drugs(known as Proton Pump Inhibitors or PPIs) work by reducing oreliminating stomach acid. This acid is critical to the dissolution ofcalcium supplements and their absorption. Most recently publishedresearch reports that prolonged PPI use is associated with increasedrate of bone fractures, Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 170 No. 9,May 2010.

It is desirable to provide a method to solubilize and infuse high levelsof calcium phosphate directly into water, water beverages and juicesfrom which it is available for immediate and complete assimilation andfull efficacy irrespective of the acid content of the stomach.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technology for the solubilizationand infusion of calcium phosphate directly into water, water beveragesand juices and the method for producing and delivering the same. Calciumphosphate, known as the bone mineral, imparts structural strength tobones and is critical in maintaining bone density and strength and toprevent osteoporosis.

Bone is a living, growing tissue made of collagen and polysaccharidesthat form a soft and flexible framework. Embedded in this framework isthe mineral calcium phosphate that imparts to the bone its structuralstrength. Much like building a structure with bricks and blocks requiresmortar for imparting cohesion, strength and rigidity, calcium phosphateis the ‘mortar’ in the bones. Inadequate intake of calcium (calciumphosphate) through diet and/or supplements forces the body to drawcalcium from the bones. Since 99 percent of the body's calcium is foundin bones and teeth, continual withdrawal leads to low bone mass andfractures, a condition called osteoporosis. Since the human body cannotproduce calcium on its own, it is imperative that calcium be suppliedthrough diet and/or supplements. Conventional supplements are availableand contain either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calciumcarbonate is by far the most commonly used mineral. It is 1) the leastexpensive, 2) most abundant, 3) naturally occurring and 4) contains thehighest percentage of elemental calcium. Calcium citrate by comparisonis mostly synthetic, more expensive and contains about half as muchelemental calcium. Neither of these minerals are soluble in water.Therefore, after ingestion of calcium carbonate or calcium citratetablets (the most common supplement form), the dissolution andabsorption of calcium is less than 30 percent of the labeled amountunder ideal stomach conditions. The most prevalent labeled amounts are500 mg (50% of the RDI) and 600 mg (60% of the RDI) of elemental calciumfor tablets made with calcium carbonate and much less for calciumcitrate tablets. Only one or two of the supplements available containthe bone mineral calcium phosphate but in much smaller amounts. Thismineral too is insoluble in water and has also been shown to provideless than 30 percent absorption after ingestion of tablets, A Study fromStauffer Chemical Company, Farmington, Conn. 1980.

The term “percentage elemental” used herein means the percentage ofcalcium present in the compound used in making the supplement. In itspure form, calcium carbonate contains 40 percent of elemental calcium.This means that for the supplement tablet to supply 500 mg or 600 mg ofelemental calcium, the tablets must contain 1250 mg or 1500 mg of thepure calcium carbonate respectively. In its pure form, calcium carbonatedoes not possess inherent cohesion to bind together into a tablet.Therefore, as available for use in making nutritional tablets, calciumcarbonate contains 36-37 percent of elemental calcium. Other ingredientsneeded to formulate this into tablets render the tablets very large anddifficult to swallow. At about 28 percent absorption, the number oftablets needed for 100 percent of the RDI is 6-7 every day. Sincecalcium citrate contains about half as much elemental calcium as calciumcarbonate, 12-14 tablets would supply the RDI of calcium.

As used herein, the term “ideal stomach conditions” mean the presence ofhydrochloric acid and whether the tablets are taken with food. Thetablets can be planned to be taken with food, however, the acidconditions in the stomach cannot be controlled. It has been shown byrecently published research that powerful antacid drugs, bothprescription and over-the-counter medications have resulted in increasedincidence of bone fractures. These powerful antacid medications known asProton Pump Inhibitors or PPIs work by reducing or eliminating stomachacid. Stomach acid is required to dissolve calcium minerals into ionized(solubilized) and absorbable forms. The reduction or elimination ofstomach acid reduces the already less-than-optimal calcium absorptioneven further.

The present invention provides the technology to solubilize and infusethe bone mineral calcium phosphate directly into water, water beveragesand juices in high concentration such that two 20 oz (591 mL) servingsprovide 100 percent of the daily requirement of calcium and 70% ofphosphorus. After infusion of calcium phosphate into water, waterbeverages and juices, these beverages remain clear, provided the waterbeverages and juices used were clear before use. The term “clear” usedherein means transparent and with no turbidity. Since the calciumphosphate in the infused water, water beverages and juices is already insolution, upon ingestion it is available for immediate and completeabsorption and full efficacy irrespective of the acid content of thestomach or time of consumption. In this regard it provides extremelyimportant benefit to people who are required to regularly take ProtonPump Inhibitor medications.

Additionally, one or more water soluble vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, folicacid, herbal ingredients and/or extracts thereof, sweeteners and flavorscan be added with calcium phosphate for direct infusion into water,water beverages and juices. Preservatives can also be added but morepreferably the infused water, water beverages and juices are sterilizedby heating.

The technology of the present invention also allows for the ingredientsto be mixed with tea leaves and bagged. The action of hot water pouredonto the tea bag infuses the calcium phosphate directly into the brewedtea which retains its color, aroma, texture and taste.

The water, water beverages, juices and teas produced using thetechnology of the present invention are designed specifically to helpprevent osteoporosis by supplying 100 percent absorbable and effectivebone mineral calcium phosphate and at the same time provide healthfulhydration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to end product(s) resulting from the method of thepresent invention including water, water beverages and juices into whichhave been infused the bone mineral calcium phosphate. These resultingbeverages do not require any further processing and are readilyconsumable.

The starting materials comprise ingredients in powder form as a premixof pure ground limestone, amino-acetic acid phosphate and amino-aceticacid citrate. The term “powders” as used herein means ingredients whoseparticles are preferably in the range of about 50 to about 100 micronsin size, but can be smaller or larger than the preferred range. Theseingredients must meet the quality standards established by the FoodChemicals Codex but more preferably by the United States Pharmacopoeia.A required amount of the powdered premix is added to water, waterbeverage or juice at room temperature. As the premix is added, thewater, water beverage or juice is stirred at a moderate speed. Theingredients can be added individually, but more preferably as thepremix. Water can be tap water, purified, de-ionized, carbonated,distilled or reverse osmosis treated. More preferably, the water used ispurified tap water. Room temperature used in the present invention meanstemperature in the range of about 45 degrees F. to about 70 degrees F.Preferably temperature of about 55 degrees F. to about 60 degrees F. isused.

As the ingredient premix is added to water, water beverage or juice, achemical reaction at room temperature converts the limestone intodissolved calcium phosphate that is irreversibly infused in thebeverage. No energy in the form of heat is required for the reaction.The reaction also produces dissolved calcium citrate and amino-aceticacid. The mixing time can be about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes butmore preferably about 20 minutes.

The calcium phosphate infused in the water imparts a tart taste. Thewater beverages and juices are not so affected. The acidic taste in thewater is overcome by the addition of acidulants, sweeteners, flavors,and the like. “Acidulants” that can be added, but are not limited toinclude citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, sodium citrate andpotassium citrate. Examples of preferred sweeteners include sucralose,acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin and stevia, either singly orin combinations. As used herein, the term “flavors” includes both fruitand botanical flavors. Included within the term flavors aresynthetically prepared flavors and those derived from natural sources.

The acidulants and sweeteners can be added to the premix. Optionally,additional ingredients can also be added to the premix at this stagebefore adding to water, water beverage or juice. Additional ingredientsinclude but are not limited to, one or more vitamins, zinc, folic acid,herbal ingredients and/or extracts thereof. After the preferred mixingtime and completion of the reaction, flavor(s) are added and mixingcontinued for an additional period of time, preferably about 10 minutes.

The proportion of limestone, amino acetic acid phosphate and aminoacetic acid citrate in the premix can be controlled to yield a highconcentration of elemental calcium in the infused water, water beveragesand juices of this invention. High concentration, as defined by the Foodand Drug Administration refers to more than 20% of calcium. The amountof elemental calcium in the infused water, water beverage and juice canbe about 20% to about 150% per serving but more preferably about 50% orabout 500 mg of calcium. As used herein, “per serving” refers to thevolume of infused beverage of the present invention that must beconsumed to provide the labeled amount of calcium and phosphorus. Forexample, serving size can vary between about 8 oz and about 32 oz.Preferably, the serving size is about 20 oz.

After completion of the reaction of the premix in water, water beverageor juice and the mixing of the flavor(s), the infused beverage is readyfor preservation/sterilization. The sterilization step of the presentinvention can be accomplished by the use of preservatives/antimicrobialagents or heat. As used herein, the term “preservative/antimicrobialagents” includes, but is not limited to, sodium benzoate, potassiumbenzoate, benzoic acid, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben,sorbic acid and the like. More preferably sterilization is accomplishedby heating the infused beverage at high temperature. Heating can beconducted in a heat exchanger or jacketed steam kettle. More preferablyheating is done in a heat exchanger to provide for faster and continuousprocessing. The infused water, water beverages or juices of the presentinvention are heated to between about 160° F. to about 210° F. but morepreferably at about 185° F. to about 195° F. In the heat exchanger, theinfused water, water beverage or juice is rapidly heated to the desiredtemperature using steam as the heating medium and maintained at thistemperature during packaging. The residence time in the heat exchangeris about 60 seconds to about 300 seconds but more preferably about 60seconds to about 120 seconds. After bottling, the bottles are cooled toroom temperature and refrigerated for consumption.

The infused water, water beverages or juices of the present inventionare extremely stable and can be packaged in polyethylene terephthalate(PET) or glass bottles and/or jugs. Bottles and/or jugs can be clear ortinted. No oxygen barrier is required.

The existing water beverages and juices used in this invention includebut are limited to, SEVEN-UP®, seltzer waters, SPRITE®, CRYSTAL LITE®lemonade, KOOL-AID®, iced tea, green tea, apple juice, pomegranatejuice, white grape juice and white cranberry juice. Most of these waterbeverages and all the juices selected were clear solutions and wereintended to demonstrate that their clarity is maintained after infusionof the bone mineral-calcium phosphate. Since all the water beverages andmany juices already contain acidulants, sweeteners, and preservatives,these ingredients can be excluded from the premix. All the beverageslisted above were pre-flavored, therefore no flavors were added. Aftercompletion of the reactions, the infused beverages were re-sterilizedand repackaged. These water beverages and juices were heated in astainless steel vessel on a laboratory burner to the same temperatureand for the same length of time as discussed above. These beverages wererepackaged hot in PET containers and allowed to cool to room temperaturebefore refrigeration. In each of the water beverage and juice infused bythe technology of this invention, the serving size was maintained at 20oz and the elemental calcium and phosphorus contents were maintained atabout 50% and about 35% respectively of the Recommended Daily Intake(RDI). No change was observed in their color, clarity, flavor, taste ortexture.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the premix compriseszinc carbonate, amino acetic acid citrate, acidulants and sweetener(s).The proportion of zinc carbonate and amino acetic acid citrate can becontrolled to yield the elemental zinc concentration of about 10% toabout 150% but more preferably about 50%. After adding the premix towater, water beverage or juice, a chemical reaction at room temperatureconverts the zinc carbonate into ionized zinc which is irreversiblyinfused in the beverage. The reaction also produces amino acetic acidwhich helps mellow the acidic taste. All procedures listed above arefollowed. The serving size can be about 8 oz to about 24 oz, but morepreferably about 16 oz. In the case of water, a suitable flavor can beadded as discussed above. Water beverages and juices are pre-flavoredand do not need additional flavor(s).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a premix comprising pureground limestone, amino acetic acid phosphate, amino acetic acidcitrate, zinc carbonate and optionally, sweetener(s) can be added to teabags for hot brewing (or infusion). Because of the smaller serving size(approximately 10 oz) of hot tea, the composition of the premix can beadjusted to supply about 20% to about 50% of elemental calcium and zinc.More preferably the premix composition is adjusted to supply about 25%of the RDI of calcium and zinc, for example, 250 mg and 3.75 mgrespectively. The type of tea used, but is not limited to, includedblack tea, green tea and white tea.

Twenty five tea bags each of black tea, green tea and white tea wereused. Two different brands of black tea that were used were regularbreakfast tea. Green tea and white tea were already respectivelyflavored with lemon/ginseng and tangerine. Bags of each type of tea werecarefully opened to remove the contents which were weighed to obtain theaverage content weight of each bag. To the tea bag contents was addedthe appropriate amount of the premix and thoroughly blended in a smallclosed container. Each bag was then refilled with the correct amount ofthe blend, carefully closed and re-stapled. When hot water was pouredover the tea bag, solubilization and infusion of calcium phosphate andzinc begins immediately along with brewing of the tea. The reaction iscomplete within the brewing time of the tea as specified on each tea bagpackage, typically about 3 minutes to about 4 minutes. Hot tea infusedwith calcium phosphate and zinc is produced that does not require anyadditional ingredients. To suit individual taste, sweetener can beadded, if not already included in the premix.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a premix comprising pureground limestone, amino acetic acid phosphate, amino acetic citrate,zinc carbonate, acidulants, sweeteners and flavors can be added to teaalready brewed from fresh tea leaves. The type of tea used, but is notlimited to, was black breakfast tea. The loose tea leaves, equivalent tothe amount of tea in a tea bag, were brewed in about 20 oz of boilingwater for a period of time as specified on the tea container, typicallyabout 3 minutes to about 4 minutes and cooled to room temperature. Thepremix was added and mixed. The mixing time can be about 10 minutes toabout 45 minutes but more preferably about 20 minutes. The calciumphosphate and zinc infused tea is heated for sterilization at atemperature previously discussed, bottled, cooled and chilled forconsumption. The serving size was maintained at about 20 oz and theelemental calcium, phosphorus and zinc contents were maintained at about50%, about 35% and about 50% respectively of the RDI.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a premix comprising pureground limestone, amino acetic acid phosphate and amino acetic acidcitrate and optionally zinc carbonate, can be combined with powdereddrink mixes for reconstitution in water. The composition of the premixcan be maintained for about 20 oz serving size as discussed above suchthat each about 8 oz of the reconstituted drink will provide about 200mg of calcium and about 140 mg of phosphorus and optionally about 3.75mg of zinc. The commercially available powdered drink mixes usedincluded, but are not limited to KOOL-AID®, CRYSTAL LIGHT®, LIPTON® ICEDTEA TO-GO, AND LIPTON® GREEN TEA TO-GO. All powdered drink mixes usedalready contained acidulants, sweeteners and flavors and were thereforenot needed in the premix. However, any or all of these ingredients canbe included if needed.

The water, water beverages and juices infused by the technology of thepresent invention are extremely stable.

The waters containing the infused bone mineral-calcium phosphate- andzinc remained completely clear and free of turbidity or appearance ofany particle settlement for at least about forty eight (48) months.Periodic analyses have not shown any change in chemical composition,microbiology, taste or flavor.

Water beverages and juices have maintained their integrity for at leastabout twenty four months. These beverages, if clear, have remained clearand free of turbidity while maintaining their tastes, colors andflavors.

The invention can be further illustrated by the following examplesthereof, although it will be understood that these examples are includedmerely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention unless otherwise specifically indicated. Allpercentages, ratios, and parts herein, in the Specification, Examples,and Claims, are by weight and are approximations unless otherwisestated.

EXAMPLE Comparative Bioavailability and Effect on Bone Density

A laboratory study was conducted to compare the relative affects of thecalcium phosphate infused water of this invention and calcium carbonatepowder on bone development in young, growing rats. Ten male weanlingSprague-Dawley derived albino rats each weighing 70-80 grams were usedin each group. All animals were fed the same basal diet. Control groupreceived calcium from calcium carbonate powder incorporated in the diet.Drinking water was provided ad-libitum. Test group was provided thecalcium phosphate-infused water of this invention calculated to containthe same amount of elemental calcium as the control group. Thecalculated volume of the calcium phosphate-infused water was lower thanthe volume of the drinking water consumed by the control group. Thedifference was made up by adding drinking water to it. Food consumption,volume of drinking water, volume of calcium phosphate-infused water ofthis invention and animal weights were recorded daily. At the end ofthirty days the animals were sacrificed and both femurs from each animalwere removed for evaluation. Results show that bone mineral density,tensile strength, femur ash, calcium and phosphorus contents were allmuch higher in the test group compared to the control. Bone density andstrength were significantly higher for the test group. Additionally, onday 30, test group animals showed significantly lower individual meanbody weight gain.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments areillustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments,which can represent applications of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised inaccordance with these principles by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for solubilizing calcium, phosphorousand zinc into a clear water composition for human consumptioncomprising: mixing ingredients comprising calcium carbonate, glycinephosphate, glycine citrate, and zinc carbonate with water to obtain aclear solution wherein the calcium carbonate and the glycine phosphatereact to yield dissolved calcium phosphate and glycine, the calciumcarbonate and the glycine citrate react to yield dissolved calciumcitrate and glycine, and the zinc carbonate and glycine citrate react toyield dissolved zinc citrate and glycine.
 2. The process of claim 1wherein stoichiometric ratios of glycine phosphate and calcium carbonateare mixed in the water to obtain dissolved calcium phosphate andglycine.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein stoichiometric ratios ofcalcium carbonate and glycine citrate are mixed in the water to obtaindissolved calcium citrate and glycine, and stoichiometric ratios of zinccarbonate and glycine citrate are mixed in the water to obtain dissolvedzinc citrate and glycine.
 4. The process of claim 1 further comprisingadmixing said ingredients with tea.
 5. The process of claim 1 whereinsaid clear solution is bottled.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein saidclear solution supplies 500 mg calcium, 7.5 mg zinc, and 350 mgphosphorus per 20 ounces.
 7. The process of claim 1 further comprisingadmixing at least one member selected from the group consisting ofsweeteners, flavors, and vitamins with the water.
 8. The process ofclaim 1 further comprising admixing at least one member selected fromthe group consisting of fruit and botanical flavors, sugars, andsweeteners with the water.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the clearsolution supplies 500 mg of calcium per 20 ounces.